edillon5063 Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 So I was at work today and I get a call from my fiance- who was freaking out but telling me to stay calm- Indy had unscrewed the toy hook (the part that closes the hook that hooks the toy onto the cage) and had gotten the hook stuck through the bottom of the tender skin below his beak. I rushed home, and by the time I had gotten home Chris was able to remove the hook with small bolt cutters. Indy was bleeding and swelling and very stressed, we rushed him to the vet. The vet said Chris pretty much saved his life, had he wiggled the hook out instead of cutting it out- Indy would've needed surgery and might not have even made it through. So we left with antibiotics and ointment. We did however have to remove all of Indy's toys that were secured with the same type of hooks, which since that's the standard, were almost all of them, until we find a better solution. When I put Indy in his cage, he looked around then looked at me as if to say "We've been robbed!" I gave him some shredables and am trying to figure a safe way to hang his toys tonight or tomorrow before I go to work. So we're lucky!
Char Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 That is so scary. Glad Indy is okay. My vet recommends rawhide for hanging toys because of the danger of metal poisoning. I have not gone to that completely because Whisper's favorite thing is to untie knots so they don't stay very long. You could also use a wrench to tighten the hooks so he can't get them loose.
judygram Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 That was a close call, glad to hear Chris was able to remove it before it caused further damage as you never want your bird to require surgery. Poor Indy must have been so stressed out but hopefully he will be just fine. Keep us informed ok.
Luvparrots Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 So very happy Indy is A-okay. What a great fiance you have. He is a keeper!!!! Please let us know that solution you came up with for hanging Indy's toys and how he is doing.
Storm_2007 Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 what kind of toy hooks were you using? can you post a pic?
dblhelix Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 Glad to hear this seems to have turned out well. I agree, a pic posted of the hooks resulting in this issue would be a great benefit to the forum community. Keep us posted on Indy's recovery!
edillon5063 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Posted July 31, 2009 This is a picture of the hook/link like the one Indy got his beak stuck on. I think I'm going to tie his toys up with leather from the make your own bird toy kits. Any other suggestions?
Codys Mom Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 glad to hear Indy is okay that would have scared me to and I use thoose hooks for all my birds toys but so far nothing has happened yet, leather sounds like a good idea and alot safer or how about soft cotton rope? <br><br>Post edited by: RileysMom, at: 2009/07/31 06:49
Poppy Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 All Georges toys are done with the plastic type screw fasteners .I have yet to trace where i can buy then cause they came with the toys .They are really nice and colourful
JillyBeanz Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 Glad to hear Indy is no worse for wear for his ordeal - great news Chris saved his life. All of Harvey's toys are tied with these fasteners - he's always picking at them too. Thanks for the heads up on these - I'm going to keep a close eye on him now tho. :unsure:
she Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 So glad Indy is ok.Thanks for the warning and the picture of the hooks.They are very common on bird toys. I replace those ones on Charlies toys with much thicker stainless steel quick links.Karma to you and Chris.<br><br>Post edited by: she, at: 2009/07/31 12:28
casper Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 I am so pleased that Indy is okay! I also use these on all my bird toys,Its very worrying to think this could happen. Thanks for the warning and I hope Indy has a speedy recovery.
KiwiandSally Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 I have a suggestion and have recently considered this for my grey. In Babies R US or any place that sells baby toys they have these thick plastic hooks that can be linked together and are safe for babies to chew on. Those can make a great toy hangers. I have lots at home and do used them for some toys but I really need some more I have a whole box of those metal clips from the two birds and they both unscrew them. I am glad that Indy is ok!
danmcq Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 What a terrible accident. I am so glad to hear this turned out ok. Thanks for posting this. It definitely brings up a good point of how dangerous these toys and their connectors can be to our much loved Parrots.
judygram Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 A lot of Josey's toys are hanging with those types of hooks, I will be checking those and maybe replacing them with something else.
Acappella Posted August 1, 2009 Posted August 1, 2009 So glad that Indy is ok. I gues you have to know you bird and what he/she are likely to do, and then keep a good eye on their toys anyway. Dorian doesn't pick at his toys where they hang, but if one is hanging from one of these links I'll make sure I tighten it every day. I agree, Chris sounds like a great parront. A man who stays cool in a crisis, and knows his way around a tool box is a keeper;)
edillon5063 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Posted August 3, 2009 Just wanted to update...Indy is making a speedy recovery and taking his meds like a champ. I went to our local bird store today to get leather ties and they said this issue was common with both greys and macaws. They thought leather was a good idea or tightening all the hooks with pliers. I would rather not use the hooks now though so hopefully the leather will be ok!
Tango Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I'm glad your boy is OK! Holy cow I'd have been a mess! We use those hooks to secure all our toys. Indy must have been in the the wrong place at the wrong time to get that to puncture under his beak! Those hooks are pretty safe to use to hang toys from, and I think you guys just had the worst case scenario. Our fids don't ever even get up high enough to bother those hooks in the cage. I suppose it depends on how you have things set up. Using untreated sisal rope/twine or leather can always be a good substitute.
danmcq Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 It's GreYt to hear Indy is doing well. This thread certainly reminds us all to be vigilant in checking all our Parrots toys, connectors etc. Anything can become a danger to our loved avian friends.
judygram Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks Elisha for letting us know Indy is going to be just fine and taking his meds like a champ, the leather should work out well for hanging his toys.
Tycos_mom Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I know the hooks your talking about those would be great for hanging toy's and most dollar stores carry them 12 to a package for a $1.00 heres a picture I made a swing from them. I don't know if you can see it but each of those chain links has a small opening they would be perfect to hang toys with and because they are teething rings for babys there are no sharp edges to Peirce soft tissue <br><br>Post edited by: Tycos_mom, at: 2009/08/02 23:16
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now